Seasons of Wildlife

Illinois River Refuges Complex Bird List

Click here to download a list of birds found on the Illinois River Refuges
Complex.

Bird Counts on the Illinois River Refuges Complex

Chautauqua Refuge: This census information on bird use
of Chautauqua Refuge was initiated when volunteers Dr. Richard and Sigurd Bjorklund began conducting counts in 1996. The Bjorklunds conducted a complete count of wading birds, shorebirds, waterfowl, and
raptors from an established census route around the refuge. Following the Bjorklunds retirement in late 2014, the Wildlife Biologist continues the same census route and protocol. Refuge staff tries to post census results as soon as possible. Censuses are generally performed every other Friday.

Emiquon Refuge: Refuge staff conducts point counts of bird
use on a regular basis at Emiquon Refuge. Weekly counts will be performed
through breeding season and monthly throughout the rest of the year. These data
will be posted on the refuge website as reports are received, and can be found
at www.fws.gov/refuge/emiquon/seasons_of_wildlife/index.html.

Refuge staff and other volunteers make casual, irregular observations that
may be posted as notes on the website. If you have an observation to report,
email us at illinoisriver@fws.gov.